Driver shortage could affect Christmas retail

The recruitment and logistics business, which was founded in 2007, provides businesses with the vehicles they require to run their logistics operations or ramp up at peak times, along the manpower to operate the vehicles and man warehouses.

Clarico, which has based across the UK, is the most successful business ever to come out of the Prince’s Trust Programme.

The logistics sector is fundamental to the UK’s economy, moreso than ever in the run up to Christmas. Following the UK’s economic up-turn this year it is predicted that more will be spent on online over the festive period than ever before, putting a huge amount of pressure on the logistics industry to maintain stock levels and meet pre-Christmas delivery deadlines

Mark Livsey, Director of Clarico, explained: “Online shopping continues to grow year on year, meaning more goods will be delivered this year than ever before. Christmas gifts are not delivered to our doors by magic. The shortage of drivers to move goods from manufacturer to warehouse, warehouse to store and deliver to our doors in time for Christmas highlights an ongoing and worsening problem.

“The logistics industry faces a constant recruitment battle to keep the UK moving and with the majority of the workforce due to retire in the next five years the issue will only get worse unless something is done about it.

“More needs to be done to encourage young people to aspire to a career in logistics, the industry has some brilliant opportunities that are being missed due to a lack of awareness about the industry.”